Teens are accused of tampering with Mahwah reservoir

Amy Newman/The RecordWyckoff residents Eric Michael and Christopher Vivona, left ot right, pleaded not guilty to vandalizing a Mahwah reservoir. Michael and Vivona had their first appearance in Central Municipal Court in front of Judge Tracy Zur in the Bergen County Courthouse.
MAHWAH — Two men were accused of vandalism at a reservoir here.

Authorities said 19-year-old Eric Michael and 18-year-old Christopher Vivona tampered with valves at the MacMillan Reservoir in Mahwah. The weekend incident allowed about 15 million gallons of water to flow under the dam and into the adjoining stream.

The pair were charged with criminal mischief and defiant trespass and released on their own recognizance. They did not have lawyers during a court appearance Wednesday.

Michael pleaded not guilty. A judge cut Vivona off as he began to say something and entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.